Photo: Chaiel Schaffel/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority hosted more than 20 children and their families at an event on Thursday celebrating both National Autism Acceptance Month and their first partnership with the Autism Transit Project.
The Project’s goal is to empower children with autism spectrum disorder by creating public service announcements for transit systems like the MBTA.
Photo: Chaiel Schaffel/WBZ NewsRadio
On Thursday, the children gathered at the MBTA Operations Control Center to celebrate the kids’ recordings of T stop announcements, which riders can hear starting April 18 and into mid-May.
The children’s previously recorded announcements highlight tips about how to board and disembark trains safely, as well as messages about offering seats to other people and other general T rider etiquette.
“You can’t watch videos when driving, but you can on MBTA trains. Just please be a good transit rider and wear headphones,” said one of the kids.
Photo: Chaiel Schaffel/WBZ NewsRadio
Jonathan Trichter, the founder of the Autism Transit Project, explained that children with autism are often fascinated with trains. “It is therefore not unusual that the first full sentence a child with autism utters would be a service announcement they would hear in a subway stop."
Many of the attendees at the Control Center on Thursday expressed their love for trains. “I just want to say I love trains. When I was little, I used to watch ‘Thomas & Friends,’” said Mason.
The Autism Transit Project has partnered with other transit agencies around the country, such as New Jersey Transit, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Bay Area Rapid Transit, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and Maryland Transit Administration for similar projects.
In 2023, over 100 children participated in their programs across the country.
Photo: Chaiel Schaffel/WBZ NewsRadio
“From simply watching trains, to walking up and touching a train, to getting on and taking a ride on a train, to riding every line in the entire MBTA system, this program, while physically measurable in some ways, has an immeasurable impact on my son, Christopher. Thank you!” said Robin Long-Tarjan, whose son participated in the project this year.
MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng shared what this collaboration means to the MBTA.
“We are honored to participate in the Autism Transit Project and celebrate Autism Acceptance Month with our community. This initiative not only raises awareness about autism, but also provides a unique platform for children with ASD to showcase their talents and make a positive impact on our public transportation system."
WBZ NewsRadio's Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports.
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